Clamping element

Abstract

A clamping element is configured for mounting a rail element bearing electrical/electronic devices on a supporting portion of a switchgear cabinet. The clamping element includes a body provided with a coupling portion configured for engaging with an opening portion of the rail element. The coupling portion is configured for enabling the body to be at least one of coupled with and removed from the rail element when the body is positioned in a first configuration relative to the rail element. The coupling portion is configured for hindering removal of the body from the rail element when the body is positioned in a second configuration relative to the rail element. The clamping element also includes a clasping device protruding from the body and configured for removably connecting the body to the supporting portion to mount the rail element within the switchgear cabinet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A clamping element configured for mounting a rail element bearing electrical/electronic devices on a supporting portion of a switchgear cabinet, the clamping element comprising:
 a body including a coupling portion configured for engaging with an opening portion of the rail element, the coupling portion being configured for enabling the body to be at least one of coupled with and removed from the rail element when the body is positioned in a first configuration relative to the rail element, the coupling portion being configured for hindering removal of the body from the rail element when the body is positioned in a second configuration relative to the rail element; 
 clasping means protruding from the body and configured for removably connecting the body onto the supporting portion to mount the rail element within the switchgear cabinet; and 
 locking means integral with the body and configured for locking the clamping element in the second configuration to prevent disengagement from the rail element, wherein the locking means includes a locking protrusion that is shaped for engaging with the opening portion of said rail element in the second configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The clamping element according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first abutting surface configured for abutting on a resting surface of the rail element, and
 wherein the coupling portion comprises a stem portion protruding transversely from the first abutting surface and a head portion which extends transversely from the stem portion and substantially parallel to the first abutting surface. 
 
     
     
       3. The clamping element according to  claim 2 , wherein the head portion is at a distance from the first abutting surface which is about equal to a thickness of the rail element. 
     
     
       4. The clamping element according to  claim 2 , wherein the head portion has an enlarged shape with respect to a cross section of the stem portion, the enlarged shape allowing insertion of the coupling portion into the opening portion in the first configuration, and hindering extraction of the coupling portion from the opening portion when the body is in the second configuration. 
     
     
       5. The clamping element according to  claim 4 , wherein the head portion has an oblong shape having a length dimension and a width dimension which is smaller than the length dimension. 
     
     
       6. The clamping element according to  claim 5 , wherein the length dimension is substantially equal to or less than a further length dimension of the opening portion and greater than a further width dimension of the opening portion, and
 wherein the width dimension of the oblong shape is substantially equal or less than the further width dimension. 
 
     
     
       7. The clamping element according to  claim 4 , wherein the head portion extends along a longitudinal axis to be arranged transversely to a further longitudinal axis of the rail element when the body is in the second configuration. 
     
     
       8. The clamping element according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking protrusion is provided with a bulge end which is shaped for engaging with the opening portion when the body is coupled with the rail element in the second configuration, the locking protrusion being elastically flexible upon a pushing action in order to disengage the bulge end from the opening portion. 
     
     
       9. The clamping element according to  claim 1 , wherein the clasping means comprise a pair of hooking protrusions integrally obtained on the body and provided on an opposite side with respect to the coupling portion. 
     
     
       10. The clamping element according to  claim 9 , wherein the hooking protrusions are inwardly turned near a further abutting surface of the body which is configured to rest on the supporting portion, the hooking protrusions and the further abutting surface cooperating together for defining a mounting recess configured for removably embracing the supporting portion. 
     
     
       11. The clamping element according to  claim 10 , wherein one of the hooking protrusions is elastically flexible for allowing snap-fitting of the body on the supporting portion and is provided with a lever portion which is pushable to facilitate a flexure of the hooking protrusion for enabling removal of the clamping element from the supporting portion. 
     
     
       12. The clamping element according to  claim 10 , wherein the abutting surface and the further abutting surface are provided on a first wall and a second wall of the body, respectively, the first wall and the second wall being parallel to and spaced apart from one other, a third wall being orthogonally interposed between the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
       13. A clamping assembly comprising:
 at least one clamping element according to the clamping element of  claim 1 ; and 
 a rail element configured for bearing a plurality of electrical/electronic devices on the rail element through a plurality of distributed opening portions each opening portion being configured for engaging with a coupling portion of a respective one of the at least one clamping element. 
 
     
     
       14. A kit comprising:
 a pack of mutually grouped electrical/electronic devices which is configured to be mounted within a switchgear apparatus; 
 a rail element on which the pack is snap-fittable; and 
 at least one clamping element according to the clamping element of  claim 1 , the at least one clamping element being configured for connecting the rail element bearing the pack to a supporting portion of a switchgear cabinet. 
 
     
     
       15. A switchgear cabinet comprising:
 a supporting portion; 
 at least one clamping element according to the clamping element of  claim 1 ; and 
 a rail element bearing one or more electrical/electronic devices.